Chamelaucium plant named &#39;ROTEM&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Chamelaucium  cultivar named ‘ROTEM’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique deep pink color throughout the flower. The new variety is early blooming and is very well branched. The new variety is a  Chamelaucium,  normally producing cut flower stems, or as a garden or container plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Chamelaucium uncinatum

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘ROTEM’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Chamelaucium cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Nitzan Nir, in Kfar Hess, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Chamelaucium varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The new variety was selected as a hybrid seedling from the breeding program at a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel.

The seed parent is the unpatented variety referred to as Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘M.B. Violet’ The pollen parent is the unpatented variety referred to as Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘M.B. Orchid’. The new variety was discovered in December of 2008 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the previously mentioned crossing in a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar has been performed by vegetative cuttings. This was first performed at a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel in November of 2009 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ROTEM’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘ROTEM’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘ROTEM’ as a new and distinct Chamelaucium cultivar:

-   1. Early blooming season. -   2. Unique deep pink flower throughout flower. -   3. Medium flower size. -   4. Large quantity of flowers. -   5. Well branched plants.

Parent Comparison

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘M.B. Violet’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ produce flowers of different coloration at an earlier bloom date than the seed parent. ‘ROTEM’ also produces a more branched habit and more flowers compared to the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent; Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘M.B. Orchid’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ produce flowers of different coloration at an earlier bloom date than the pollen parent.

Commercial Comparison

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ are comparable to the variety Chamelaucium ‘Eden’, unpatented. The two Chamelaucium varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘ROTEM’ produces flowers with a different coloration, and more flowers and buds per plant. Plants of ‘ROTEM’ are better branched than plants of ‘Eden’ and produce flowers earlier in the season.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROTEM’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Chamelaucium ‘Early Violet’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however plants of ‘ROTEM’ branch better and produce flowers that are pink throughout, whereas flower of ‘Early Violet’ have a white ring in the center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a close up of typical flowers and foliage of ‘ROTEM’. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘ROTEM’ plants grown outdoors in Kfar Hess, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 15° C. to 35° C. during the day and from −2° C. to 35° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘ROTEM’ -   Age of plant described: At least 2 months old from a rooted cutting. -   Typical flowering stems harvested per plant: 120 to 150 during the     course of the season. -   Vase life of flowers: Two weeks -   Propagation: -   Time to produce a rooted plantlet: 30 to 60 days at approximately     24° C. -   Root description: Fibrous. -   Plant: -   Growth habit: Upright plant produces multiple stems from a pinch, or     after harvesting stems. -   Height: 200 cm. -   Plant spread: 80 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid -   Branching characteristics: Excellent branching occurs after     pinching. -   Length of primary lateral branches: 60 cm on average. -   Diameter of lateral branches: 0.5 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 120. These are the harvested     flowering stems. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Round.         -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Strength.—Stems brittle. -   Internode length: Range from 1.5 to 11 cm. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 6 leaves, in the 10-15 cm section             from the top of the branch.         -   Average length.—1.8 cm.         -   Average width.—0.1 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Needle.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Aspect.—Straight, occurring at approximately a 15 to 45             degree angle.         -   Color.—Young foliage: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B Mature             foliage: Near RHS Green 137A.         -   Venation.—Indistinguishable from foliage.         -   Petiole.—Not present. -   Flower: -   Natural flowering season: Plants planted during April through     October begin flowering December through February, without a     juvenility period. Plants flower continuously under short day     conditions. -   Natural flowering season: Short days. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: Approximately 60 days. -   Inflorescence type: Panicle. -   Individual flower type: Single, 5 petals with hypanthium. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Spherical.         -   Length.—0.45 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.45 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A. -   Inflorescence size:     -   -   Diameter.—Average 26 cm.         -   Length.—Average 20 cm. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Average 1.5 cm.         -   Length.—Average 0.6 cm. -   Corolla: -   Petals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rotate, not overlapping.         -   Length.—Average 0.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.5 cm.         -   Quantity.—5.         -   Texture.—smooth.         -   Apex.—Obtuse rounded.         -   Base.—Fused into a hypanthium. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72A Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 72A.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72A Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 72A.         -   Aging.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72B Lower surface:             Near RHS Purple 72B. -   Hypanthium:     -   -   Diameter.—Average 0.8 cm.         -   Length.—Average 0.3 cm. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72A Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 72A.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72A Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 72A.         -   Aging.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 72B Lower surface:             Near RHS Purple 72B. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—Fused into a single, conical structure.         -   Length.—0.3 cm.         -   Width.—0.8 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Peduncle: Peduncle consists of the plant stem. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—0.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm. -   Fragrance: None. -   Reproductive organs: -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—10.         -   Filament length.—1 mm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—Oval.         -   Length.—0.25-0.5 mm. -   Pollen: Not observed to date. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS White 155A.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. -   Other characteristics: -   Seeds and fruits: Single flower produces one fruit. When the fruit     is fertile, it will produce 1 seed, occasionally 2 seeds. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Chamelaucium have been observed to     date. -   Temperature tolerance: From −2° C. to 35° C. -   Drought tolerance: Very good tolerance for drought. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chamelaucium plant named ‘ROTEM’ as herein illustrated and described. 